Troyes, France II

I'm having a good time in France. 2 months have passed already. A week after I wrote my first blog, I started the Easter holidays which lasted 2 weeks. The first 5 days I didn't do much. I went shopping and walking. On the Friday my family brought me to their grandparents' house 3 hours away from Troyes. We once again went shopping and on the Sunday my host parents brought us to a kite festival in Berck and it was very pretty, especially because it was on a beach and I hadn't seen the sea for 2 months.

The next day we left her grandfather's house to go to Disneyland. I really loved it. It was better than I had imagined. I went on nearly every ride. We then walked around Disneyland taking pictures and going into shops for souvenirs. That day I was exhausted so I went to sleep early.

On the Tuesday we went to the palace of Versailles and it was beautiful. We had to wait three and a half hours to get it but it was definitely worth it. I love history so listening to the person talk about the castle was very interesting to me. I was amazed at how beautiful and how much detail was put into every room.

Later that day we stayed at her cousin's house. The last day we went to Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe but unfortunately we couldn't go see the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

When we got home I rested for the 4 days.

School is very good here. I think after being here, it's going to be hard for me to go back. My favourite class is probably English because I get to speak English.

My French has improved a lot but I'm not fluent. I do French workbooks everyday to try to get better.

I've gotten comfortable around my family now. At the start I was shy but now I'm more confident around them. My correspondent is nice and helps me with my French.

Today we went to visit Voltaire's castle with our class and it was very nice. Next Thursday is the carnival here, so Caragh and I are going to wear something green to school and hold an Irish flag.

I only have 4 weeks left and I know they're going to go by very fast so I'm a bit sad but I'm also excited to get to see my family and friends and to start summer!

Troyes, France

Hello my name's Taylor and I'm participating in an Erasmus three month exchange program with another girl named Caragh.

The 28th of February I was more excited than nervous. I woke up early and finished packing my suitcase. I got to the airport at 9am and met Caragh and her mom. We had breakfast and said goodbye to our parents. I was a little bit sad but also happy. The plane was 2 hours late so we got to Troyes at around 8pm. I remember being very nervous to meet the family. When I got home I played a game with them, had dinner and went to bed.

I prefer this school than our school in Ireland. Here people are very kind and chatty. In class I don't understand a lot. My favourite class is probably English and my least favourite is History or French because I really don't know what the teachers are saying. Caragh and I spend a lot of time in the library. There we do our homework, read books and listen to music. In Ireland there are more subjects than at this school, for example Art or Home Economics. Here people can leave the school without there parents' permission if they have a free class or if the teachers out.

The family I'm staying with are very nice. I get on very well with everyone. My correspondent, Erine, has 3 younger siblings. Erine's level of English is okay. My French has definitely improved. I do think French families are stricter than Irish families. I usually go to bed at around half 9 because I'm tired most of the time.

Since I've been here I have gone ice skating, roller skating, swimming and babysitting. I've gone shopping in Troyes and to the fun fair.

Some differences I've seen are basically all to do with food. They pour milk or crème fraîche in their soup or they dip their pastries in their juices. Sometimes they have crisps for dinner.

So far my experience in Troyes has been amazing and I hope it stays that way.